Hospice

 

Contact:   Parish Office 216-0039

Mission:    The  on-going  involvement of parishioners to promote and provide support to the care of the dying is one important  way  by  which  the  parish  joins  in  the  mission  and  ministry  of  the  Catholic Church  in  upholding  the  dignity  of  life  from  conception  to  natural  death.  Through collaboration with organizations engaged in hospice care and support that we provide meaningful opportunities for parishioners to live out the Gospel message and deepen their faith in the midst of the larger community while also bridging connection with our parish community.

Role in Heart to Pray:  Prayer is central in all aspects of involvement with the care of the dying and in providing support to their families. A minister involved in Hospice work has a strong commitment to grow in faith and prayer and through encountering people of all faith traditions and including those who have not yet come to believe in the salvation offered by the passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ central to the Catholic faith tradition. There are many ways to pray, through private devotion and in communal gathering especially the celebration of the Eucharist. A very important form of prayer in any encounter in hospice care is listening and silence!

Role in Heart to Serve/Share/Witness:  There are many ways to serve as a hospice minister. In addition to direct Hospice care (in-home and/or in-patient unit), volunteers may act as liaison to connect hospice chaplain with parish clergy for the spiritual care of Catholic patients and their family. The volunteers may also provide administrative and office support and/or get actively involved in direct outreach work organized through collaborative efforts of various organizations promoting hospice care and support in the larger community.

An important commitment a lay minister involved in hospice work can make to assure a deepening journey of sharing and witnessing in the larger community is to be aware of on-going opportunities for education and engage in active learning process. Local opportunities for learning will be made available to all hospice ministers of the parish and to the community as much as possible.